Dealers jailed after raids found heroin and cocaine

Kain Dawson (left) and Ben Hardy pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine

Two drug dealers have been jailed after police raids on their homes found heroin and crack cocaine, as well as bundles of cash and high-value clothing and jewellery.

An investigation found Kain Dawson and Ben Hardy had been supplying Class A drugs in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, police said.

The pair did this through the use of bulk messaging via a mobile phone line, and both pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine in July.

Hardy, 23, was jailed for three and a half years at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, while Dawson, 21, was given two years and nine months in prison.

Large amounts of cash were found stashed under a bed at the Mansfield Road property and cannabis products in a freezer

Nottinghamshire Police said Hardy and Dawson's operation was a county line, a term used to describe gangs supplying drugs, often across county borders, using dedicated mobile phone lines.

The force said mobile phones seized from the pair provided further evidence of their crimes.

Dawson, of Westbourne Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield, also admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Officers found bags filled with wraps of heroin and cocaine, multiple mobile phones and cash in Westbourne Road

Officers began investigating Hardy, of Mansfield Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, after intelligence suggested he was running a line into Sutton and an address in Westbourne Road was being used as a drugs den, police said.

The force added warrants were executed at the property, as well as at Hardy's home, on 17 June.

PC Jack Shephard, of the force's county lines team, said: "Analysis of the phones seized during these raids revealed bulk messages advertising the sale of Class A drugs were being sent out to addicts across Sutton-in-Ashfield.

"Drug dealing of this nature causes immeasurable harm in our communities and there was evidence these two offenders were making significant amounts of money through this illegal and pernicious trade."